heady topper

The details: The Alchemist Heady Topper Double IPA, 8%ABV, 120 IBU, served in a pint can

I have seen the promised land in my dreams. It's a silver and black can. It's unassuming. It's something you happen to see in the back of the refrigerated case in a roadside convenience store on the way to some ski spot in Vermont.  

But let's be serious here for a minute: who actually goes to Vermont? Is it really only people that ski? Is it simply strange independent types like Bernie Sanders? It's not like the interstate goes through there to somewhere cooler/better/more interesting (ok, maybe Canada). Though as someone that's been to every state around Vermont, the only reason I've ever wanted to go is to visit The Alchemist.

I've made a pilgrimage to Santa Rosa, CA, to visit Russian River Brewing and enjoy the wonderful Pliny the Elder. I thought I was going to have to make a comparable pilgrimage to Stowe, VT, to visit the equally small but equally fierce The Alchemist Brewing. This morning, my coworker Tom changed that forever. Now instead of thinking that it'd be nice to one day get to Vermont, it's something that I need to actively plan. I need to figure out how to make it into a day trip and to find out how many different spots I can find to buy Heady Topper. In case you were wondering, there's a website for that.

Here's the secret to both of Pliny and Heady: they are Double IPA's that drink like something much less. Heady is soft on the palate; I am not crushed by an overwhelming citrus flavor, I'm not dragged down by a dank earthy taste. The hop taste is not overly bitter at all - it's actually very refreshing. There are a ton of hops in here but it doesn't kill you with it (here's a great interview where the secret might just be discussed: the yeast strain). It has an amazing aroma; so much so that the writing on the can says both "DRINK FROM THE CAN!" and the commentary from John Kimmich (the owner of Alchemist) says that if you must pour it into a glass, it might smell great but it's not as good. This beer is thirst quenching and sweet and smooth. It also is better warmer, much like a more malty beer. 

I now understand why this beer is like the promised land. It is equal parts interesting to drink IPA, fresh unfiltered ale, and summer crusher. Many thanks to Tom for bringing this to me. I don't know how I restrained myself all day at work to wait until I got home to drink it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 (on Untapp'd - follow me @slownumbers to see what I'm drinking!)